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San Francisco-AS 18,064 Fans Clad in Violet Shirts Filled Chase Center, Making the Golden State Valkyries’ Season Opener The Second-Highest-ATENDED HOME DEBUT IN WNBA HISTORY, Kelsey plum Made a bit of history of her own in her first game in a LOS Angeles sparks Uniform.
Plum scored 37 points, the most by a sparks player in their debut and the most by any wnba player in a season opener. Her Six Assists and Five Steals Also Made Her the first WNBA Player with a game of at last 35 points, Five Assists and Five Steals.
“The mentality for me tonight was real just just come out and have fun,” Said plum, who shot 11-of-19 from the field and 11-of-11 from the free throw line. “I love basketball. I love to play basketball. Just comment, and we have a great group.”
For much of her career, plum has played all-time offensive producers, such as three-time mvp A’ja wilson During her six-sizeon stint with the Las Vegas Aces. But when plum arrived in los angeles over the offseason, she instantly because the team’s no. 1 option.
The sparks hoped She WOULD HOLP Revive a Stagnant Offense That Caused Them so many problems last season. They lacked sufficient and consistent scoring, as well as a floor general who could reliably hit targets down low, such Dearica hamby.
“I have spent a lot of time learning, particularly from a’ja,” plum sa. “Watching her pick her spots and just being intentional about when to be Aggressive, when not to be aggressive.
Plum spent the offseason focusing on her strenge and conditioning in the gym. She has the goal of being able to play a full 40 minutes with pace and work through contact – Both of which she did friday night.
“That is the kelsey I am using to,” Said Valkyries coach natalie nakase, who was an aces assistant coach from 2022-24. “She was able to get downhill to her left, something we talked about … but she’s fearless. To a step-back 3. That’s the kelsey that I know. “
Los angeles stormed out of the Third Quarter with a 20-8 Run, fueled almost exclusively by 15 points from plum to built a 15-point lead. But three conscutive triples from the valkyries’ Julie Vanloo Saw that Lead Evaporate to Six Points By the end of the Quarter.
It was during that the sparks’ offense was rushed and became “disheveled,” Plum sa, highlighting that room for growth.
“This is a new offense for every, so we’ve got to be patent,” Plum sa. “We’ve still get to find our rhythm with that. … We’re going to be better at over time and positioning, getting open. Me ball to post players on time and began with that. With time, but we’ve got a great group of athletes. “
The Fourth Quarter was less than fast and fortune, but saw la slowly taken controll through its defense, holding golden state to just seven point.
“I am incredibly proud of this team’s ability to take a punch and not freak out,” sparks coach lynne roberts said. “Especially winning on the road, you have to have that mentality. … We Answered the Bell. That shows mental toughness.”
Plum was one of Four Sparks Players to Finish in Double-Figure Scoring, Alongside Hamby’s 14, Rickea jackson‘s 13 and Azura stevens’11.
